At Solid Custom Heirlooms we pride ourselves in building custom furniture from some of the best hardwoods in the world: Oak and Walnut. And while both of these wood species are extremely durable, long lasting and beautiful, they each have their own qualities that make them uniquely special and suited to different applications.
But many customers will ask which one is better. Both Walnut and Oak are hardwoods that fit a similar category in the solid wood hierarchy. They are extremely durable, have tighter grain patterns than most other woods, and have a beautiful grain pattern. However, each have their own unique qualities that make Red Oak and White Oak wood good for one thing and Walnut wood good for another.
Is Oak or Walnut better? It depends on your personal preference and for what type of wood the furniture is used for. Both species are high quality furniture hardwoods that are known for their color and special grain patters and will last for generations. Walnut is primarily known for its deep brown color while Oak is renowned for its strength, high density and pronounced grain pattern. Let’s dive into the Oak vs Walnut discussion to find out what wood is best for your project.
Walnut is a medium-density hardwood that is good for furniture like cabinets, interior flooring, and beds. It is also widely used in gun stocks, guitars and pianos, among other musical instruments. The dense wood creates a low, sweet resonance that is pleasing to the ear.
Walnut is a beautiful species of wood, with it’s darker parts giving way to lighter shocks of color. It is loved by craftsmen because it is easy to shape, consistently keeps it’s shape after a project is compete, and is impact-resistant.
Walnut wood grain is beautiful, which goes through the light brown wood to the darker sections. Walnut has a deep dark brown color reminiscent of chocolate or coffee with streaks of other colors including cream, yellow, blue and sometimes green. Walnut is the darkest wood that we offer and we never add stain to its natural color.
However, there are some downsides to this beautiful wood. It is somewhat softer than other hardwoods such as Oak, Cherry and Maple. That means that while it can take a beating, it will scratch and dent easier. If you choose walnut for children’s furniture, table tops , flooring or other high-wear surfaces, you will need to take special care to protect the naturally smooth finish.
Walnut is also less insect-resistant than Oak or Maple. If you know that bugs are an issue in your area, then Walnut should not be your first choice, even with the best wood stains. Walnut and oak floors both get the job done, but oak wood is stronger.
Walnut wood will not crack if it is kiln dried and finished properly. If it is not then it will crack like any other hardwood.
Oak has long been one of the most sought-after woods for furniture because of it’s strong, durable nature and good looks. It is some of the densest, hardest and strongest wood that is offered by Solid Custom Heirlooms. If strength and impact resistance is your top priority Oak should be at the top of your list.
At Solid Custom Heirlooms we offer both Red Oak and White Oak. Each of these sub-species have their own advantages and disadvantages that differ from each other that make them better suited for different applications.
White Oak Comes from the American White Oak tree. It is characterized by its light color and prominent “rays,” giving it a subtle yet attractive grain pattern. It’s also known for its strength and durability.
White Oak is good for making strong, high quality furniture and flooring. This means that you get a very strong, hard wood that does not pick up nicks easily. It is good for everything, but shines in high-impact applications like tables. White oak is the most durable wood we sell, in general.
The color of white oak is very trendy, with it’s light beige and white giving a striking look to any piece of furniture made by it. It also more of a straight grain than red oak, and can be sanded down to a smooth finish.
However, there are some disadvantages to White Oak. Because of its popularity, White Oak is a bit more expensive than Red Oak, as it only grows in the northern hemisphere. This makes the supply low, so it becomes more expensive through demand.
It has a very distinctive color, having that white, straight grain. If you are going for a darker look, we suggest going with Walnut or Red Oak.
Red Oak furniture comes from the Northern Red Oak, a deciduous tree that produces hard, heavy, yet porous lumber. Red Oak is slightly less dense than White Oak but still very durable.
Red Oak is good for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry. It is extremely dense and strong, resisting most of what can be thrown at it. It will last for decades if cared for properly, and it has the added benefit of being both sustainable and lower in cost than other Hardwoods. Red Oak grows quickly in many parts of the world, meaning that there is a lot of it. That lowers the cost.
Red Oak also has a warm pinkish red to yellow color with a bold grain pattern, making it a striking wood to look at. Red oak is a straight grained wood, with a straight grain pattern.
Red oak has a pronounced, porous grain pattern. Red Oak grain can be felt by hand even after careful sanding and buffing. This leads to a pronounced texture that will show through most finishes.
Red Oak is not as hard as White Oak. If strength is the most important, then we suggest white oak.
Oak wood is more dense and durable than Walnut. If your new furniture will receive a high level of wear from kids, dogs or just about anyone else, Red or White Oak is strongest choice.
Oak is less expensive than Walnut. There is a lot more variety for hardwood out there, meaning that there is a higher supply. This makes Oak cheaper than Walnut.
Oak wood has a higher insect resistance vs Walnut. Oak wood is more bug resistant. If there are a lot of wood-eating bugs in your area, then it is safer to go with Oak.
Oak wood has more variety to choose from. There really is only one type of Walnut wood. That means that you are locked into a certain look with Walnut. Oak offers more options, with more chances to nail that perfect look.
Oak can be stained to create a wide variety of colors while Walnut is best left to its natural color.
Walnut wood is beautiful and rare. Walnut wood has a striking beauty to it. This beauty is heightened by it’s rarity. It is harder to find good Walnut. So if you are going for the ultimate statement piece, choose Walnut.
At Solid Custom Heirlooms we think that hardwood makes the best furniture and both Oak and Walnut are favorites! Whether you want a simple platform bed for your Queen size mattress or an elaborate California King luxury bed, we are here to help. Our goal is to offer a wide variety of beds hand made from high quality American hardwood. If you don’t see what you are looking for, or want to talk more about achieving a specific look or type of bed, please contact us and we would love to help you create your dream bed!
